Lens Selection Help!
Posted 27/03/2013 - 09:07
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Save.
It is obvious you want the DA* 50-135. If you buy one of the others you will still be longing for it wand will have to start saving again and wishing that you had NOT jumped the gun.
Where are you going? Is there a possibility you could buy abroad and claim back the sales tax / VAT?
It is obvious you want the DA* 50-135. If you buy one of the others you will still be longing for it wand will have to start saving again and wishing that you had NOT jumped the gun.
Where are you going? Is there a possibility you could buy abroad and claim back the sales tax / VAT?
Posted 27/03/2013 - 09:15
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Hi,
Which lens(es) do you have at the moment?
Which lens(es) do you have at the moment?
Posted 27/03/2013 - 09:29
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The Pentax 18-135mm adds WR, very useful when the weather turns bad.
We have shot weddings with it, no problem. It's versatile and a really nice gritty lens in terms of its contasty, sharp results. This is shown in the test by the high MTF20 results.
The focusing is near silent and very fast, the build quality is excellent.
We have shot weddings with it, no problem. It's versatile and a really nice gritty lens in terms of its contasty, sharp results. This is shown in the test by the high MTF20 results.
The focusing is near silent and very fast, the build quality is excellent.
Best regards, John
Posted 27/03/2013 - 09:58
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I have both the DA 18-135 WR and the Tamron 18-50 f2.8 and can recommend both.
The Tamron is great for low light work in particular and would do you for weddings / portraits. Whilst the 18-135 is a great walk around lens so would suit your holiday.
Altough not on your list there is a Pentax 18-250 on for £260 inc P&P on evilbay at the moment too. Mind you there is only 3 hours to go.
However, as George says the Sigma 24-70 would be the one I would go for if the shorter focal length is not a problem and you have £400!!
The Tamron is great for low light work in particular and would do you for weddings / portraits. Whilst the 18-135 is a great walk around lens so would suit your holiday.
Altough not on your list there is a Pentax 18-250 on for £260 inc P&P on evilbay at the moment too. Mind you there is only 3 hours to go.
However, as George says the Sigma 24-70 would be the one I would go for if the shorter focal length is not a problem and you have £400!!
Posted 27/03/2013 - 10:12
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The 24-70mm is a "35mm-equivalent" of 36-105mm, not much use for a wedding?
Best regards, John
Posted 27/03/2013 - 10:12
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Hmmmm - thanks for the feedback.
I've overlooked the Sigma 24-70, i'll check out some reviews.
I've really fell into a trend of only saving up a few hundred pounds, becoming impatient and buying a lense...you can see by my lense collection:
Pentax 18-55 WR kit
Pentax 35mm f2.4
Pentax 50mm f1.7
Sigma 105mm f2.8
Tamron 70-300
I am going to a few European cities, i've never thought of buying abroad as i always want the comfort blanket of an easily repaired lens under warranty.
There are occasionally 50-135 DA* lenses for around £650 from Canada or the states on Evilbay any comments?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-PENTAX-DA-50-135mm-f2-8-ED-IF-SDM-LENS-f-K-5-K-7-K...
I've overlooked the Sigma 24-70, i'll check out some reviews.
I've really fell into a trend of only saving up a few hundred pounds, becoming impatient and buying a lense...you can see by my lense collection:
Pentax 18-55 WR kit
Pentax 35mm f2.4
Pentax 50mm f1.7
Sigma 105mm f2.8
Tamron 70-300
I am going to a few European cities, i've never thought of buying abroad as i always want the comfort blanket of an easily repaired lens under warranty.
There are occasionally 50-135 DA* lenses for around £650 from Canada or the states on Evilbay any comments?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-PENTAX-DA-50-135mm-f2-8-ED-IF-SDM-LENS-f-K-5-K-7-K...
Posted 27/03/2013 - 10:22
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The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a belter bang-for-buck. For weddings its a good choice for wide shots of venues/interiors and formal group shots, yet at the 50mm end becomes very good for portraits of the bride and groom and for a bit of reportage thrown in.
You've got the Sigma 105mm, which can cover longer range shots such as the ceremony and further reportage from a bit of a distance and speeches, and its sharp as a tack so you can crop quite a bit with it and retain decent quality.
If on a budget and doing a wedding, you could do far worse than have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the Siggy 105mm f2.8.
That would be my recommendation based on my own experiences doing weddings.
You've got the Sigma 105mm, which can cover longer range shots such as the ceremony and further reportage from a bit of a distance and speeches, and its sharp as a tack so you can crop quite a bit with it and retain decent quality.
If on a budget and doing a wedding, you could do far worse than have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the Siggy 105mm f2.8.
That would be my recommendation based on my own experiences doing weddings.
Posted 27/03/2013 - 12:34
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Snootchies wrote:
The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a belter bang-for-buck. For weddings its a good choice for wide shots of venues/interiors and formal group shots, yet at the 50mm end becomes very good for portraits of the bride and groom and for a bit of reportage thrown in.
You've got the Sigma 105mm, which can cover longer range shots such as the ceremony and further reportage from a bit of a distance and speeches, and its sharp as a tack so you can crop quite a bit with it and retain decent quality.
If on a budget and doing a wedding, you could do far worse than have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the Siggy 105mm f2.8.
That would be my recommendation based on my own experiences doing weddings.
The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a belter bang-for-buck. For weddings its a good choice for wide shots of venues/interiors and formal group shots, yet at the 50mm end becomes very good for portraits of the bride and groom and for a bit of reportage thrown in.
You've got the Sigma 105mm, which can cover longer range shots such as the ceremony and further reportage from a bit of a distance and speeches, and its sharp as a tack so you can crop quite a bit with it and retain decent quality.
If on a budget and doing a wedding, you could do far worse than have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the Siggy 105mm f2.8.
That would be my recommendation based on my own experiences doing weddings.
That sounds like good advice to me.
And the added plus is that, if the 50-135 is your holy grail, the Tammy 17-50 would be a pretty perfect partner for it.
Posted 27/03/2013 - 12:39
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bluenose82 wrote:
I've really fell into a trend of only saving up a few hundred pounds, becoming impatient and buying a lense...you can see by my lense collection:
Pentax 18-55 WR kit
Pentax 35mm f2.4
Pentax 50mm f1.7
Sigma 105mm f2.8
Tamron 70-300
I've really fell into a trend of only saving up a few hundred pounds, becoming impatient and buying a lense...you can see by my lense collection:
Pentax 18-55 WR kit
Pentax 35mm f2.4
Pentax 50mm f1.7
Sigma 105mm f2.8
Tamron 70-300
I was right ... if you really want a specific lens then save and wait, don't get impatient or you will never get what you really want.
No point in buying in Europe as you cannot reclaim VAT.
Posted 27/03/2013 - 12:51
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gwing wrote:
And the added plus is that, if the 50-135 is your holy grail, the Tammy 17-50 would be a pretty perfect partner for it.
And the added plus is that, if the 50-135 is your holy grail, the Tammy 17-50 would be a pretty perfect partner for it.
I can attest to that, these two are my main shooting pair right now and compliment each other really nicely.
I'm thinking about upgrading from the Tamron 17-50 to the Pentax DA* 16-50 but there's really nothing in it in terms of image quality - I only want the Pentax for the convenience of the weather sealing (and slightly faster focusing, I'm told).
My Flickr • Pentax K-5 • K-5 II • Sigma 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6 DC HSM • Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD ASL • SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F/2.8 ED [IF] SDM • SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F/4-5.8 ED • SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] WR • Vivitar 100mm F/3.5 Macro AF • Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2
Posted 27/03/2013 - 16:19
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I just shot my first wedding of the year on Saturday and apart from getting the kiss shot at the altar along with the exchange of rings shots my 50-135mm got very little use.
My DA* 16-50mm 2.8 however shot around 900 frames during the day.
No its not wide enough for interior group shots, we had thick snow on Saturday so all groups and formals where taken in doors, 24-70mm would have been useless.
Isn't the Tamron screwdrive focus too loud for a wedding??? Particularly the ceremony shots???
My DA* 16-50mm 2.8 however shot around 900 frames during the day.
johnriley wrote:
The 24-70mm is a "35mm-equivalent" of 36-105mm, not much use for a wedding?
The 24-70mm is a "35mm-equivalent" of 36-105mm, not much use for a wedding?
No its not wide enough for interior group shots, we had thick snow on Saturday so all groups and formals where taken in doors, 24-70mm would have been useless.
Snootchies wrote:
The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a belter bang-for-buck. For weddings its a good choice for wide shots of venues/interiors and formal group shots, yet at the 50mm end becomes very good for portraits of the bride and groom and for a bit of reportage thrown in.
That would be my recommendation based on my own experiences doing weddings.
The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a belter bang-for-buck. For weddings its a good choice for wide shots of venues/interiors and formal group shots, yet at the 50mm end becomes very good for portraits of the bride and groom and for a bit of reportage thrown in.
That would be my recommendation based on my own experiences doing weddings.
Isn't the Tamron screwdrive focus too loud for a wedding??? Particularly the ceremony shots???
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Posted 27/03/2013 - 16:23
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cabstar wrote:
Isn't the Tamron screwdrive focus too loud for a wedding??? Particularly the ceremony shots???
Isn't the Tamron screwdrive focus too loud for a wedding??? Particularly the ceremony shots???
For me, the ceremony is the only part of the day where an audible AF motor is an issue. There's a simple solution: manual focus. Given the bride and groom are largely stationary during this time, I've never had an issue manual focusing with the Sigma 105mm or on occasion I've even used the 55-300 for close ups during the ceremony. Again, manual focusing.
At all other times on the day, I've found AF with a screw drive more than adequate.
Posted 27/03/2013 - 20:54
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This advice is Golden... to anybody with wedding experience. If you could only take 1 lense to capture the entire day, formal and candid shots.... What would it be?
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75 posts
13 years
St Helens
I'm about to invest in a new lens, which i'm hoping will be mainly be used for portraits and weddings if i start up a little side line.
I had planned to buy the 50-135 DA*, but this is about £300 more than i can afford at the moment, i really really want my new lens before i go on holiday in a few weeks...
So, what i can afford now is -
TAMRON 17-50 f2.8
SIGMA 18-50 f2.8-4.5 (so cheap)
PENTAX 17-70 f4
PENTAX 18-135 f3.5-5.6 WR
Do i buy one of the above...OR do i just keep on saving for the Holy Grail (50-135 DA*)?